Name: Yu-Chi Chang

Intake: 2019

Position: Project Officer Energy Data

Company: Agora Energiewende (Smart Energy for Europe Platform (SEFEP) gGmbH)

My current responsibilites are:
Develop and maintain data pipelines and cloud-based databases for energy systems and grid data modeling, also focusing on integrating spatial energy data and opimizing energy system designs.

After my graduation:
I plan to stay in my current company for some time to gain more core area experience and research abilities. Going for a Ph.D. is also a part of my future career choice.

I was convinced to join the GPE program because:
Located in Berlin, the GPE Program not only offers extensive resources both from TU Berlin and Fraunhofer IPK but also provides a diverse and inclusive culture that would attract any international student. The unique combination of academic and industrial knowledge attracted me to join the program and immerse myself in Germany's deep industrial history. In addition, the GPE program also addresses the fields of green production and renewable energy technologies, which will be a topic of major research worldwide in the coming decades.

The best part of GPE is:
GPE is like Berlin in a nutshell - vibrant and young. You can enjoy any kind of culture, and interests from different backgrounds. You can discuss and share different perspectives with colleagues and professors from various countries, cultures, and professions. The environment makes an individual outspoken and hones one's leadership skills to an all-round development of a student.

What I liked most about Berlin is:
A mix of modern and historic architecture and lifestyle, a truly metropolitan city filled with various cultures from around the world.

My advice to present and prospective students is:
If you wish to major in production engineering or energy engineering, and also enjoy pairing your studies with a young and dynamic environment, then this will be the best program and city for you!

If I had to summarize my GPE study time in one sentence:
It was a unique, memorable, and rewarding time in my life to meet all my colleagues, professors, administrators, and other elites of the German industry.

What I always wanted to say is:
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving!

Name: Liliana Patricia Corredor Barrera

Intake: 2018

Position: Project Developer Manager

Company: Steag Solar Energy Solutions

My current responsibilites are:
Project development from green field until RTB and preliminary design of utility-scale PV power plants, commissioned in various sites across the globe, project management of solar power plants, business development in solar markets, analysis of main components from utility-scale solar power plants, etc.

I was convinced to join the GPE program because:
I am highly interested in renewable energy.

The best part of GPE is:
Multiculturalism and the RENAC classes!

What I liked most about Berlin is:
The internationality of the city.

My advice to present and prospective students is:
Learn German!

Name: Juan Camilo Lopez Perez

Intake: 2017

Position: Plant Manager

Company: Omya AG

My current responsibilites are:
Manage the operations (production, maintenance, quality, and projects) in a Calcium Carbonate processing plant in Ecuador, leading a team of engineers to achieve the objectives of the global corporation.

After my graduation:
GPE helped me to get the skills and vision I was missing to have a jump in my professional career. This international master's was an important milestone to get the Plant Manager position in a multinational company and work abroad.

I was convinced to join the GPE program because:
The program was completely aligned with my objective of growing my career in operations. Offering comprehensive options of subjects to shape my professional profile to meet my goals.

The best part of GPE is:
The experience to study with classmates from different cultures and learn many things from them.

What I liked most about Berlin is:
Berlin is a city with many options, alternatives, and events. We can do everything in Berlin. Among the big cities in Europe, it's one of the most inexpensive.

My advice to present and prospective students is:
Be focused on your goals and the career path you want, so you can take the most from a master's degree like GPE

If I had to summarize my GPE study time in one sentence:
GPE was a professional and cultural mind opener.

What I always wanted to say is:
Studying abroad is a great experience, if you have the chance, just do it!

Name: Keyvan Hassankhani

Intake: 2015

Position: Program Buyer

Company: Magna International

My current responsibilites are:
Creation of the supply chain of e-Drive sub-components and conventional transfer cases for the global automotive industry.

After my graduation:
I moved to Austria for work.

I was convinced to join the GPE program because:
Very interesting master program and the scholarship award (DAAD-CONACYT)

The best part of GPE is:
The MSc. certificate!

What I liked most about Berlin is:
It is never boring!

My advice to present and prospective students is:
Present students: Focus on learning German and prioritize networking inside and outside of GPE.
Prospective students: I recommend joining the program!

If I had to summarize my GPE study time in one sentence:
Life changed for the better.

What I always wanted to say is:
Grades from 2 to 4 are worth the same, so just relax.

Name: Miguel Angel De la Garza Bravo

Intake: 2013

Position: Project Manager Electric Powertrains

Company: Audi AG

My current responsibilites are:
Plan, organize, buy, start up and ramp up new production lines for our new electric engines.

After my graduation:
I started at AUDI as an international trainee.

I was convinced to join the GPE program because:
It's program, opportunities and internationality

The best part of GPE is:
That you are allowed to create your own parth inside the master's degree. So you can focus on the topics you really care about.

What I liked most about Berlin is:
All the activities and places it offers you to get in touch with Germany and the multiculturality of the city.

My advice to present and prospective students is:
Do not stop working on improving yourself, you will always be amazed at how fast you can top what you defined as your limit.

If I had to summarize my GPE study time in one sentence:
GPE Two years of full new paths, challenges, languages and learnings!

Name: Unni Suresh

Intake: 2006

Position: Project Leader R&D

Company: Siemens AG

At the moment I am working at:
Siemens AG in Berlin as a project leader in the research & development department (medium voltage division).

After my graduation:
I started my GPE studies in 2006 and completed an internship at Siemens in 2007. Since 2008 I work as a regular employee for Siemens. Presently, I have an unlimited work contract with Siemens and a permanent residence VISA.

The next steps in my future career might be:
I'm very much satisfied with my tasks and responsibilities at Siemens. Maybe, in future I will extend my supports from Berlin to guide R&D projects for Siemens Mumbai, India.

I was convinced to join the GPE program because:
The course content, flexibility, and exposure to various disciplines in the GPE program. Besides the excellent teaching faculties and experienced teachers, it has a benefit to graduate from a world-renowned university like the TU Berlin. In addition, I received a full-time scholarship from Siemens Germany for my master's studies.

The best part of GPE is:
Opening gates to me and offering me a variety of international career opportunities.

What I liked most about Berlin is:
The multicultural attitude in Berlin and the sheer number of events and happenings every day. You can experience new things every day!

My advice to present and prospective students is:
Don't wait for opportunities but seek them.

If I had to summarize my GPE study time in one sentence:
Most cherishing moments I had in my life!

Name: Jinfeng GU

Intake: 2005

Position: Quality Engineer

Company: ALPS Electric Europe GmbH

At the moment I am working at:
ALPS Electric Europe GmbH in Germany. I work at the quality department as a quality engineer.

After my graduation:
I worked at RLE international as a quality engineer.

The next steps in my future career might be:
To have more responsibility in the department.

I was convinced to join the GPE program because:
The reasonable timing plan that the GPE program offers.

The best part of GPE is:
Teaching me to be to become a team player and to be open minded. The GPE program also teaches you to have an international scope by studying together with international students.

What I liked most about Berlin is:
The special variety of cultures that Berlin offers and also because of the comparatively low costs of living in Berlin.

My advice to present and prospective students is:
To enjoy life and take your time to experience the city and the broad program of opportunities it offers.

If I had to summarize my GPE study time in one sentence:
It opened the door to the world for me!

Name: Göker Sürmeli

Intake: 2005

Position: Project Manager in Windenergy

Company: ÖKOTEC Windenergie GmbH 

My current responsibilites are:
Project planning of repowering and greenfield wind energy projects which include micrositing under consideration of legal framework, environmental resrictions and technical requirements in GIS, yield, sound and shadow analyses in WindPro, potential analyes, communication with experts and authorities.

After my graduation:
I was convided to work in the renewable energy field and I have been working at Enova and Okötec for onshore wind energy projects in Germany since my graduation.

I was convinced to join the GPE program because:
I was convided that it was going to allow me to start working in Germany not only with its widespread lectures in many fields but also with its contacts in the business field.

The best part of GPE is:
The best part of GPE is that it prepares you for the business world with a wide range of possibilities of lectures and gives you the flexibility to decide your future.

What I liked most about Berlin is:
That it is a very dynamic and international city. If GPE was going to be a city, it would be Berlin. So it is a perfect combination.

My advice to present and prospective students is:
To have a wide vision and to be open to the world and its opportunities. We are mostly closer to our targets than we think, we should just be capable of seeing the right direction when the time comes.

If I had to summarize my GPE study time in one sentence:
The person that has graduated from GPE was different than the person that started studying at GPE in a positive meaning and it has nothing to do with the content of the information during the lectures but more with the values that GPE added to my character.

What I always wanted to say is:
Don't be afraid of making mistakes there are too many mistakes to be made in life, so just don't insist on doing the same ones!

Name: Cao Zhen

Intake: 2004

Position: Management Trainee

Company: Bosch Rexroth

At the moment I am working...
Bosch Rexroth China as a management trainee.

After my graduation:
I continued my academic pursue as a Ph.D student at the Fraunhofer Institute (IPK) in Berlin, Germany.

The next steps for my future career might be:
a managing position in the purchasing department at Bosch Rexroth.

I was convinced to join the GPE Master Program because:
it would broaden my horizon, both academically and culturally.

My GPE studies influenced my professional career by:
teaching me the importance of persistence and integrity.

I enjoyed my time in Berlin because:
of the special intercultural variety that Berlin offers. It is a fantastic city to live in, especially as a student.

My special advice to present and prospective students is:
try to do some part-time jobs, not for the money, but for the fun and the experiance you make during the work.

If I had to summarize my GPE study time in one sentence:
learn hard, play hard!

What I always wanted to tell you:
Opportunities might be right around the corner, especially in Berlin.